Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy owing to liver cirrhosis in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Background Gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia in patients with liver cirrhosis are common problems caused by various etiologies such as bleeding esophageal and gastric varices, bleeding peptic ulcer whether Helicobacter pylori or non-H. pylori related, portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), and other causes. Impairment of the gastric protective barriers and production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukins, which occur because of colonization of gastric mucosa by H. pylori, may make the stomach more susceptible to the effects of portal hypertension. Aim of work The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its association with PHG in patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients and methods Overall, 50 patients with liver cirrhosis and PHG (cases) and 50 patients with cirrhosis without PHG (controls) were enrolled in this study. H. pylori stool antigen rapid bedside test and upper endoscopy were done for patients in both groups to diagnose PHG and H. pylori infection. Results The prevalence of H. pylori infection among patients with PHG was higher than those without PHG (34 vs. 10%, respectively; P=0.031), and prevalence of H. pylori infection was 22% among the whole of the studied groups. There was no correlation between H. pylori infection and severity of PHG (P=0.381), Child score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, or serum albumin level. However, our study showed a significant correlation between splenic size and portal vein diameter in patients with cirrhosis and PHG (P=0.002). Conclusion There is significant association between H. pylori infection and PHG, but there is no significant correlation between H. pylori infection and the severity of PHG or the severity of liver cirrhosis. Also, there is significant correlation between splenic size and portal vein diameter in patients with cirrhosis and PHG.